I've been contemplating taking LiLo to a specialist/surgeon but I'm afraid since he specializes in double hip replacements he's going to recommend it just because he does them. I wanted the consult to see if surgery is really an option for her because my vet doesn't really seem to think so. Someone donated some Adequan and I'm considering using it more, it's not as expensive as I thought it was.

The biggest issue we're dealing right now is with pain. Rimadyl makes her sick now. She got sore the other day even from jogging 2 miles and when I say jog, I was going slow enough that she was just trotting with me, and it wasn't a solid stretch of 2 miles because I slowed to a walk several times in between. I'm afraid surgery might be the best option, but feel horrible because it's probably something I can't really afford.

She doesn't lay down normally, she always lays with her legs to the side, she hesitates to sit, she gets grouchy with Seth because she's sore.

How old is LiLo? It sounds like you are saying that you need to do something, that something has to change, and I'll agree, from what you've said here, I think so, too.

Oscar can't take the traditional NSAIDs, so he takes Tylenol 3's, and has done really well with them, only need about 1/2 of his dose, and at the lowest time frequency.

I'm not doing Adequann with Oscar yet, saving it a bit, and the Sascha's Blend seems to be helping a fair bit at this point.

The thing with chronic pain is, its a really vicious cycle, they become more and more sensitive to it. I find when Oscar gets sore, a day's worth of pain meds and rest, kind of "re-sets" his pain tolerance. This is what I find, anyway.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

How old is LiLo? It sounds like you are saying that you need to do something, that something has to change, and I'll agree, from what you've said here, I think so, too.

Oscar can't take the traditional NSAIDs, so he takes Tylenol 3's, and has done really well with them, only need about 1/2 of his dose, and at the lowest time frequency.

I'm not doing Adequann with Oscar yet, saving it a bit, and the Sascha's Blend seems to be helping a fair bit at this point.

The thing with chronic pain is, its a really vicious cycle, they become more and more sensitive to it. I find when Oscar gets sore, a day's worth of pain meds and rest, kind of "re-sets" his pain tolerance. This is what I find, anyway.

I thought Tylenol was toxic to dogs?

LiLo is 5 years old, we definitely need to do something. She's a very active dog and I definitely want her around for as long as she can be comfortable. I just feel really bad because she wants to go on walks, she wants to do things and she really can't because I know it will make her sore.

I was thinking of trying some tramadol as well, even though it is only a pain blocker - not anti-inflammatory. I will definitely look into getting some Sascha's Blend, I'm still debating on the consult. I just feel like I might be simply paying $85 for a $4,000+ estimate.

Well, we have a prescription from our vet for Tylenol 3s, so.... nope. It is toxic and higher doses, and should never be used in CATS. It stressed me out giving him Tylenol because I'd heard lots of crappy things, that it was bad for them. Then I did some reading; at therapeutic levels they'd seen little (or no?) evidence of issues in dogs, so it appears the concerns came from how it affects cats. Just don't overdose. The impression I actually got was that it may actually be safer to give Tylenol then a lot of NSAIDS long term, but this was all from the net, too.I dunno, ask your vet about your options, what the pros and cons are of different meds.See how Sasha's does with her, get her pain meds, and go from there?

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

Malli wrote:Well, we have a prescription from our vet for Tylenol 3s, so.... nope. It is toxic and higher doses, and should never be used in CATS. It stressed me out giving him Tylenol because I'd heard lots of crappy things, that it was bad for them. Then I did some reading; at therapeutic levels they'd seen little (or no?) evidence of issues in dogs, so it appears the concerns came from how it affects cats. Just don't overdose. The impression I actually got was that it may actually be safer to give Tylenol then a lot of NSAIDS long term, but this was all from the net, too.I dunno, ask your vet about your options, what the pros and cons are of different meds.See how Sasha's does with her, get her pain meds, and go from there?

I totally stand corrected, I had no idea dogs could have acetaminophen!

I'm definitely debating on trying it... she's been having a lot of problems lately. I took her to my parents Saturday and just running around in the yard she was crying all night every time she moved, and crying all of Sunday. I broke down and gave her some Rimadyl which she kept down just fine [followed it with some sucralfate she seems to be feeling better, no squeaking/crying.

I've not tried heat. I'm skeptical, because the pain is due to inflammation... I think heat is good, but not direct heat like with a heated bed. Then again, it might also depend on the dog.

Is Lilo a sensitive dog? Just thinking, Oscar rarely yelps, probably 2 times in his entire life, so if he yelps, I know it hurts bad. I've seen actions(or lack there of) that indicate pain but I can't recall any time he's yelped from his hips...

Try the Sasha's! Did I post that the other day we hiked up a MOUNTAIN?! And, he did GREAT, on the way up AND on the way back! ahead on the climb up (literally a climb in many places, and he needs "help" so that he doesn't slip or jump too far), lagged a bit on the trip down - but we figure his pads were not so tough so a little sore from all the rocks), and on the trail from the mountain that went uphill on the way back, ahead of us! I kept asking him to wait

seriously, I know I sound like an Ad, but try it!

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

Malli wrote:I've not tried heat. I'm skeptical, because the pain is due to inflammation... I think heat is good, but not direct heat like with a heated bed. Then again, it might also depend on the dog.

Is Lilo a sensitive dog? Just thinking, Oscar rarely yelps, probably 2 times in his entire life, so if he yelps, I know it hurts bad. I've seen actions(or lack there of) that indicate pain but I can't recall any time he's yelped from his hips...

Try the Sasha's! Did I post that the other day we hiked up a MOUNTAIN?! And, he did GREAT, on the way up AND on the way back! ahead on the climb up (literally a climb in many places, and he needs "help" so that he doesn't slip or jump too far), lagged a bit on the trip down - but we figure his pads were not so tough so a little sore from all the rocks), and on the trail from the mountain that went uphill on the way back, ahead of us! I kept asking him to wait

seriously, I know I sound like an Ad, but try it!

I'm in the process of getting the Sasha's, I definitely want to try it.

LiLo can be a weener but she usually does not vocalize until she is really in pain. She has NEVER cried all day and night like that. Usually if she's sore she will cry if you ask her to move suddenly. She was crying all night just moving by herself. I checked her back and it was fine, I don't feel a bump like she pulled her iliopsoas, I was able to extend her right hip - not too bad, left hip was harder to extend and she squeaked when I extended it back.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

That's what I'm hoping.We took x-rays yesterday and sent out a jr panel. Blood work looks good. Dr. says he thinks she may have a bone infection in her left socket... I'm not doing anything until we see the specialist.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

In regards to aspirin definitely give with a meal or at least a healthy helping of water. Also break it up into a powder. As a powder it will dissolve in the system more quickly thus not sitting there dissolving. It will take effect sooner and also be easier on the stomach.

Haha, LiLo did SO well! We were about 30mins early because I anticipated traffic that didn't exist and she just laid in the lobby. She barked at the receptionist one time and as soon as the gal gave her a cookie they were fast friends.

The surgeon said if I win the lottery, or somehow come into $10,000 [ ] hip replacement surgery could be in her future. He said he isn't a huge fan of the FHO, that it is mostly a last resort surgery if the dog is super bad off. He said he would recommend surgery when she's having to have rimadyl every single day and is even more painful than she is now.

I saw the hip socket/joint and I guess the pieces themselves cost $2,500

He recommends Adequan or better yet a product called Cartrophen which is only used in Canada but he is able to get it shipped down here. I've heard of it before, apparently he likes it better. I got my tax returns back so I am going to start her on Adequan.

The specialist said he thinks her bone density looks fine and that the change might be due to lack of cartilage. My vet/boss wants to re-xray in a month just to be sure. The x-rays do look kind of moth eaten which would be questionable of an infection or maybe something worse. I'm assuming however if it was bone cancer you would think it would be more obvious, but if this was the early stages who knows.

LiLo let the doctor palpate her. After our appointment she was totally happy to hangout with the receptionist and a technician. I am very proud of her I'm also glad that in another veterinary environment she can still be comfortable and not get all stressed.

I've used Cartrophen (since we are in Canada) on Oscar, he had a Tendonitis/Brusitis flare up and I used it for that(didn't notice any real improvent but then at the time he was on total rest, and his hips didn't show pain like they do now, either). I've been holding off on it, and sort of "saving" it, but I think soon may be the time, even with the Sasha's...

Hopefully the density isn't anything but an odd radigraph.

I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07